Fastest PsyD Programs in Louisiana for 2025

Most traditional doctoral programs take several years to finish because the coursework and clinical requirements are rigorous and extensive. Today, the fastest PsyD programs permit students to complete the degree at least a year sooner.

We invite you to learn more about graduate school options in Louisiana with an emphasis on accelerated PsyD programs that prepare you to become a licensed psychologist.

What Is a PsyD Program?

A PsyD program is a clinical psychology program designed to train professional psychologists and psychiatrists to provide mental health therapy and other patient treatments. Most of these doctoral programs consist of two or three years of advanced coursework, supervised practicum training in clinical settings, and sometimes a thesis or dissertation requirement.

Although there are plenty of PsyD programs with no dissertation requirements, many still expect doctoral candidates to complete a capstone project or participate in an advanced practicum experience. Recently, more psychology departments have begun to offer accelerated PsyD programs, which make it possible to finish an advanced psychology program in less than four years.

How Fast Can I Earn My PsyD in Louisiana?

The traditional path to earning a PsyD or any other doctorate is to spend four to six years taking courses, completing internships, and finishing other program requirements. The process can be much faster now if you already have a master's degree or enroll in a fast-track program.

Although Louisiana does not have many accelerated PsyD options, you can enroll in a college to do more coursework remotely and transfer any other graduate credits to help complete your doctorate faster. It's also possible for psychology undergraduates to get a head start on this by taking graduate coursework during their senior year and transferring it to a PsyD program.

Are There Any 3-Year PsyD Programs in Louisiana?

There are no 3-year PsyD programs online in Louisiana. The closest thing to a shorter PsyD program is to complete a master's degree from an accredited university and apply as many credits as possible toward completing your doctorate. This is possible in many traditional and accelerated graduate programs if you wish to earn, for example, a PsyD in forensic psychology or other clinical fields.

Fastest APA-Accredited PsyD Programs in Louisiana

Below is a list of accredited fast-track PsyD programs. There are not as many in Louisiana, so we included the following section to offer a few other out-of-state options for your consideration.

1. The Chicago School

The Chicago School collaborates with Xavier University to offer a fast-track PsyD for prospective psychologists in New Orleans. This provides a way to earn a doctorate while concentrating in areas such as behavioral medicine, health psychology, or multicultural psychology. The practitioner-scholars who comprise the faculty also focus on cognitive-behavioral and systems-oriented interventions in psychology.

• Average in-state tuition: $1,815 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $1,815 per credit hour
• Time to completion: Three years
• Accreditation: American Psychological Association (APA)

Other Accelerated PsyD Programs

Check out these other fast-paced doctoral programs. These institutions offer accelerated degree options, available in either an in-person, online, or hybrid delivery format.

University of Hartford

The University of Hartford has a 96-hour doctoral program, which begins each fall and takes roughly three years to finish. Its PsyD program requires a dissertation, qualifying examinations, and several other course requirements. The program aims to train well-rounded psychologists who can work with diverse professionals while treating diverse clients.

• Average in-state tuition: $1,346 per credit hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $1,346 per credit hour
• Time to completion: Three years
• Accreditation: APA

Wright Institute

The Wright Institute uses a trimester system for its academic terms, which is conducive to finishing the program faster if students complete a full course load each 13-week term. Most students begin the first year or two as 'in-house' trainees before finishing the degree program in a practicum environment outside the Institute. Doctoral students have a choice of seven specializations, including child assessment, psychotherapy theories, and health psychology.

• Average in-state tuition: $42,350 (total program cost)
• Average out-of-state tuition: $42,350 (total program cost)
• Time to completion: Three years
• Accreditation: APA

Walden University

Walden University offers a greater volume of online coursework for its PsyD program. It's also one of the quickest to finish, with some students completing it as early as two years, usually after having obtained a master's degree previously. The doctoral curriculum features interactive learning, real-life problem solving, two residency experiences, and the option to supplement one's curriculum with additional specialized courses.

• Average in-state tuition: $630 per quarter hour
• Average out-of-state tuition: $630 per quarter hour
• Time to completion: Two to three years
• Accreditation: APA

Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University offers a three-year track for its PsyD program, which you must pursue full-time at its campus in Cullowhee, North Carolina. If you submit at least a 3.7 grade point average (GPA), then you will be exempt from taking standardized tests for program admissions. This is also one of the most affordable PsyD options, even for out-of-state residents.

• Average in-state tuition: $5,120.28 per semester
• Average out-of-state tuition: $10,479.78 per semester
• Time to completion: Three years
• Accreditation: APA

How We Rank Schools

This is how we rank PsyD programs on this list. These institutions must possess academic accreditation, a shorter program duration, quality course offerings, and affordable tuition.

• Accreditation: All schools must have accreditation from the APA.
• Program length: These programs take less than four years to complete.
• Program reputation and quality: This list features high-quality PsyD programs where students receive thorough training and support from credentialed faculty.
• Affordability: These programs have affordable tuition or offer ways to lower costs with scholarships and teaching assistantships.

FAQs About Accelerated PsyD Programs in Louisiana

This section addresses the most common questions regarding accelerated PsyD programs. It explains how to get financial aid, program duration, and what you can do with your degree.

Are There Any 2-Year PsyD Programs in Louisiana?

A two-year doctorate is the fastest way to become a psychologist, but this is not possible if you attend a Louisiana university. There are, however, other programs outside the state that permit graduate students to finish within three years or fewer.

What Can I Do With a PsyD Degree?

There are many unique doctoral programs in the field, including options for earning a PsyD in neuropsychology, clinical psychology, and family counseling. PsyD degree holders also enjoy employment opportunities in hospital settings, government agencies, and through private practice in almost every Louisiana community.

Do Online PsyD Programs Require In-Person Clinical Training?

The best online PsyD programs require some face-to-face training because the state's licensing system mandates it. Louisiana requires licensed psychologists to complete at least two years (4,000 hours) of supervised clinical work to qualify for private practice, including patient treatments that involve prescribing medication.

What Financial Aid Is Available for PsyD Students?

After you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you can get funding from various sources. Most universities require this as the first step for securing scholarships or state/federal grants. Many PsyD students will get most of their funding by serving as teaching assistants or graduate assistants with their respective departments.

Explore Online Doctorate Degrees

We welcome you to explore all our other articles on doctoral programs and professional licensure in psychology. This includes accredited programs for clinical psychology, school psychology, and every other specialization.